Top 5 Reasons for Hijabophobia
For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, there’s a new fear out there, and I call it “Hijabophobia.” This irrational fear has crept into the subconscious of the unsuspecting all over the world. What is the cause of such ill feelings against a simple piece of cloth? Below is an attempt to understand this phenomenon.
The Most Recognizable Identifier of a Muslim Woman
What is the first thing you think of when you see a woman wearing a headscarf? Undoubtedly, the mental association between a woman wearing the headscarf and Islam is very strong. More than any other article of clothing, hijab has become the most recognizable identifier of Muslim women.
This point hit home for a family member of mine when we sat together in a waiting room in one of Los Angeles’ largest hospitals. He witnessed several people pass by enthusiastically offering their salaam (greeting, literally peace) and asking how we were doing. Afterwards, my family member turned to me and said, “Do you know these people?” This was the first time he witnessed how powerful the hijab was as an identity marker in public. How did they know I was Muslim? Undoubtedly, the headscarf was a clear giveaway.
With this strong association comes a myriad of pre-conceived notions, a sense of mystery (does she have hair?), stereotypes, and just plain fear. For many Non-Muslims, the headscarf represents a religion that is foreign and one they do not understand. The natural outcome, therefore, for those who fear the religion, is to fear its most apparent manifestation.
This intensified attention placed on the headscarf and on the women who wear it is much to the chagrin of some Muslim women. The emphasis placed on the head scarf leaves them feeling stuck in an un-engaging discourse at the expense of other pressing issues affecting the well-being of some Muslim women and girls around the world. This emphasis in and of itself tends to turn Muslim women away from wanting to learn about this practice, and as a result creates ill-feeling. Unfortunately, a vicious cycle is created where increased talk around the hijab is aroused (to defend its basis in Islam), and again some women feel repelled by the concept even further.
Associated with Oppression and Misogyny
There has been a surge of thought within the Muslim community that misogynistic views distort Islamic rulings. Granted that male chauvinism is a massive problem within the Muslim community that leads to such things as physical and mental abuse, double standards, and government-sanctioned transgression against women and girls, it is a worldwide issue affecting all cultures and religions.
Some say the disrespect of women has influenced the Qur’anic scholars of old to interpret ayat (verses of the Qur’an) to serve their own negative agendas: to oppress women. Those who feel that our fiqh (creed) is tainted with misogynistic opinions therefore argue that hijab is a result of such ill will towards women.
This type of reasoning has been viewed as liberating and refreshing. However, in reality, this is damaging and self-serving. Instead of searching for the wisdom behind some of Allah’s commandments concerning women, some use this argument as a license to refute basic Islamic principles relating to women’s dress and gender relations.
Out of Place in Western Society
Trying to adhere to an Islamic dress code in the West is challenging to say the least. Going against the modern current of wearing revealing clothing such as shorts that barely cover one’s underwear is like a fish swimming upstream. Amidst a sea of scantily clad bodies on the beach a Muslim woman feels totally out of place, yet proud. She is proud that she is not self-conscious and superficial enough to be pressured into wearing a one or two piece bathing suit just to fit in. Instead, she values herself and her religion and does not feel the need to debase herself by submitting to a dress code founded on true oppression—the sexualization of women and girls.
Not surprisingly, the American Psychological Association couldn’t agree with this concept more. In 2007, the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls reported several findings that point out the dangers of current fashion and media trends, and their effects on the healthy development of girls1 . In the report, the APA defined sexualization as any one of the following phenomena:
- a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior, to the exclusion of other characteristics;
- a person is held to a standard that equates physical attractiveness (narrowly defined) with being sexy;
- a person is sexually objectified — that is, made into a thing for others’ sexual use, rather than seen as a person with the capacity for independent action and decision making; and/or
- sexuality is inappropriately imposed upon a person.
These concepts are more easily understood in light of a study conducted by the APA. Two sets of girls were put into dressing rooms. One set was wearing bathing suits and the other was wearing sweaters. Each set of girls then sat down in front of a mirror in the dressing room and was given a math test. Results showed that girls wearing the sweaters achieved far higher scores than their counterparts. Why? Girls with bathing suits were preoccupied with the way they looked, thereby affecting their ability to concentrate on the math test. Imagine then, how girls are affected on a daily basis amidst billboard ads, cartoons, movies, music videos, print ads, etc., that portray women and girls in a sexual manner.
Lack of Understanding of and Appreciation for the Scholarly Method
Lawyers and lawmakers alike would scoff at the idea that any layman can interpret U.S. law and understand its proper application. Yet, Muslims and non-Muslims share in the misguided idea that fiqh (jurisprudence) is a loose methodology of personal interpretations and whims. Just as a lawyer undergoes several years of education to reach his current professional status, so does the Muslim jurist who studies Shar’ia (Islamic law). How much alms tax should one pay? What are the conditions of a marriage contract? These are not issues that one answer without proper education in Islamic Law.
One would ponder then, do we respect our U.S. legislation to the exclusion of our Islamic law, the very law of the Holy Qur’an upon which Thomas Jefferson based the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution?2
Visual Disparity Between Outer Appearance and Inner Character
Finally, a major cause of “hijabophobia” is the disparity between how some Muslims behave and their outer appearance. People associate wearing hijab with piety. Undoubtedly, to follow one of Allah’s commandments is a righteous deed in and of itself; and to wear the hijab in the West is a struggle. Yet, we must remember, it is possible to follow one commandment and err in another, regardless of whether this error is apparent to others or not. We are all human, susceptible to weakness of character and falling into sin. But, when women wearing the headscarf openly back-bite, are rude, or use foul language, a negative message is being sent. Some see this disparity and use this as an argument against wearing the hijab. Others who loosely associate themselves with Islam feel repelled from the religion even further. Unfortunately for women who wear hijab, their outwardly deeds become an instant invitation for judgment. No one knows if a Muslim really prays, fasts, or even pays zakat (charity). We shouldn’t muddle ourselves in the finger-pointing game, ready and waiting to throw blame on our fellow Muslims. Instead, we should all be engaged in a continual spiritual journey on the path to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala—exalted is He.
To conclude, we shouldn’t fear one of the outer manifestations of our faith, the hijab. What we should fear is pushing each other away from the deen (religion), thereby creating animosity amongst each other. Our Muslim circles should encourage what is right, discourage what is wrong, and provide an “open door” atmosphere, fostering love and respect amongst our fellow brothers and sisters. May Allah grant us open minds and open hearts. Ameen.
- The Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls, www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx [↩]
- The Jefferson Qur’an, www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/Public/focus/essay0412_jefferson_quran.html [↩]
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“Lawyers and lawmakers alike would scoff at the idea that any layman can interpret U.S. law and understand its proper application.”
Lawyers and lawmakers may scoff, but in the U.S. juries are composed of peers who do not generally have legal training, and it is they who decide the guilt or innocence of an individual. They can even contravene statutes under the concept of jury nullification (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification).
I think your misunderstanding highlights the point the writer is making.
There are many like you who feel that the shariah laws are made by “juries in the U.S.”, while a more accurate interpretation of the role of the scholars in Islam would be the lawmakers and lawyers who help draft out the laws in a country.
I think if you are able to discern the difference between the two roles, you will have a more accurate picture of how Islamic laws are being derived from the Quran.
“Some say the disrespect of women has influenced the Qur’anic scholars of old to interpret ayat (verses of the Qur’an) to serve their own negative agendas: to oppress women. Those who feel that our fiqh (creed) is tainted with misogynistic opinions therefore argue that hijab is a result of such ill will towards women.”
Yes. But it’s also true that scholars are influenced by their culture, which includes how they perceive the roles of men and women, which in turn affects their understanding and interpretation of the Qur’an and sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). To not understand this fact and take it into consideration is “damaging and self-serving,” too.
Not only are the scholars influenced by culture, you and I and everyone of us are influenced by cultural perceptions.
However I believe the writer is saying that our fiqh is separate from the influences of culture and customs. I think you will grasp this more clearly when you study deeper about how the scholars derived Islamic laws from the Quran and sunnah.
If everyone is influenced by cultural perceptions, then it is impossible for fiqh not to also be so influenced.
That is true, the scholars are influenced by their culture. But the basic principles in the quran and sunnah don’t change. Their particular application in the world may change based on the particular conditions we are living in. This may lead to rules that we should follow being made more ‘strict’ or less ‘strict’. However, I think the author is trying to say that though the scholars may make some mistakes, this is often used as an excuse to throw out rules wholesale in order to ‘liberate’ ourselves from any constraints so we can do whatever we want.
I think there is a wrong message here – hijab is not and was never a headscarf!! Hijab is defined in fiqh as wearing modestly what covers the whole body with a loose non-transparent garment. This implies a belief of a value and a manner of genuine and serious behavior in interaction with the outside world. The girls when they receive the message this way, the argument comes up: how a piece of cloth on the head would protect/harm anyone?? Surely Nothing – But it is the belief of how you should carry yourself seriously and genuinely with the outside world that would protect, and the way we present ourselves according to what Allah has decreed would for sure help us behave as recommended. What does it mean wearing a headscarf and wearing transparent or tight shirts and jeans with it??? I believe Nothing – it means the concept passed to these ladies is wrong – that hijab is just a headscarf that recognizes your religion!! You fulfilled Allah’s command by putting this piece of cloth on the head! We really need to review our understanding and conception that we pass to our girls, hijab should reflect the value, principle, and the manner of self-respect, seriousness, and modesty before recognition of being from a different religion that non-muslims do not know about.
And Allah knows best.
Exactly. good point. And let’s not forget that hijab applies to both women and men.
Jazakallah khair for this great post!
Good article, but perhaps I may elaborate on the obvious. Hijabophobia exists because women are wearing hijabs, right ? More so it is a multitude of women who are wearing hijab to warrant a “phobic” response, i.e. if one or two were wearing, it would not be a big issue (that’s why the ban in France is ludicrous). Further there are orthodox Jewish women who are distinctively dressed, but not surrounded by phobia. So one really thinks about, it is not so much Hijabophobia, as much as it is a distrust of Islam, as stated in the article, because wearing the Hijab clearly identifies a women as a “practising” Muslim.
So really it is not about hijabs, beards, masjids, islamic centers, religions relics, etc, but fundamentally of deen-ul islam itself.
Well…yes. I think (or at least hope)that the author of this article wrote it knowing why the phobia of hijab, beard, seeing Muslims pray in the manner they do, etc…all stem from the fear/distrust towards Islam that stems from ignorance towards the faith.
So I think that part is understood. However this article just highlights the off-shoot effect of a particular “MICRO”-phobia that stems from that large “MACRO”-phobia of the religion itself. Someone could write an article on “fist-length-beardophobia” and most of us would know where that fear really is rooted in…ignorance of the faith.
Another good point about why people view women in hijab as being oppressed is because often times people see hijabis walking around with their husbands for example that are dressed in form-fitting, stylish clothes (not to say hijabis can’t be stylish)…yet their wives are modestly dressed with the hijab.
I think Muslim men forget that “hijab” pertains to them just as much as it does towards women too.
Good article but you forgot one point. Many muslim women and their families are afraid of being attacked by non-muslims. It is a personal safety issue.
Good point. That is probably a legitimate reason to loosen some of the restrictions. It all depends on the intention of the person. Is the intention an honest one of safety or is it just an excuse? It all depends from person to person. Each person is responsible for their own conscience.
Asalamualaikum,
Excellent article. I have just recently started to wear the niqab, and I stumbled upon this article after looking for some answers to my own niqab phobias. So far its been a blessing experience to cover the way Allah has enjoined upon Muslim women but Shaitaan is definitly playing with my mind and trying very hard to make me take it off. I would advise all Muslim women who have doubts about wearing hijab that in order to accept any law or instruction by Allah, you need to either be convinced of the benefit behind it or to trust in the wisdom of the one who prescribed it. Muslims believe that the wisdom of God is absolute and perfect and that He knows the nature and best interests of His creations (mankind included) better than they do themselves; thus, a believer willingly obeys God’s directives as much as he or she is able. To some, the matter of women’s dress might seem trivial. Islam, however, assigns to it moral, social and legal dimensions. When women observe the proper Islamic dress, they protect their own honor and reputation and contribute greatly towards peace and order in society. Don’t let Shaitaan decieve you with his lies and take Al- Wali (The protecting friend)as the only defender. Allah is also Al-Mani(The preventor of harm), so before you go out into this deceitful world, pray to Al-Mujib (The responder to prayer) and make dua to him with sincerity to protect you and give you courage because hijab in itself is a jihad. Don’t forget that the love of the slave to His Lord and His Messenger is in their Obedience and avoiding their Disobedience.
Salam
Interesting article but all this talk on hijab bothers me. It seems in Islam the way you dress has become more important than what is in your heart and gets the most attention. All women’s talks are either about wearing the hijab correctly (Im pretty sure the sisters already know what is and isnt correct) or marriage. This leads to other muslims using the hijab or the way a muslim woman dresses to judge her. (Dont pretend that doesnt happen!) As sister Azza showed above with her comment on scarf with jeans, sister- you dont know where that person is in their journey, for some people hijab is difficult to wear and to get to the point it sounds like you are already at it may take others yrs. Some people have to take things in stages. But comments like a scarf with jeans is not hijab is not helpful to that sister. Dress amongst muslims seems to be a covert way to identify the religiosity. Its wrong. I hope we can change this soon. Next time you see a sister wearing her hijab as you deem incorrect, dont judge her, instead make dua for her. Please get past the dress for muslims and see them for themselves.
I agree anon, we don’t know and can’t judge others….I for one know a sister who wears the full jilbab and she is rude and she portrays a bad stereotype especially when mingling with non Muslims, it makes me think she’s not a better Muslim because of how she dresses but she’s worse as she thinks she’s already better than others and is slightly arrogant, it’s gone to her head because she dresses ” Islamic” and I know other sisters who are talking to non Muslims and integrating and may help dawah but they are not dressed as “Islamic ” .
Let people choose and remember we should never put down any of our sisters and brothers.
Liked the article especially the last bit.
Alhumdulillah, everything that this sister wrote is so relatable. We just finished doing the tafseer of Surah al-Ma’idah ayah 14 and in that we learned that animosity and hatred in our hearts is actually one of the punishments of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Today Muslims are fascinated by the lives of people of other religions, ignoring our own deen. While we may see them as prosperous and successful, the reality is this is actually a test for them.
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala will show us the truth on the Day of Judgment. May we take inspiration from the lives of the Prophets, their righteous companions and the pious predecessors. And may He prevent us from being a fitnah for this world or being the source that causes hatred and divide among the Muslim Ummah, aameen.
Really it was an informative and inspiring post. JazakiAllahu khairan to the sister.
look, bottom line is that the topic is one of the various compliance topics encoded in the Islamic religion. there is the fiqh aspect, in terms of what we believe it means, based on the best reasoning employed. there is the faith aspect, whereby different people will be at different stages on the matter. this is absolutely no different from any other requirement not considered a criminal issue e.g. charity, backbiting, solat, congregational solat, zakat, da’wa, conflict mediation, visiting the sick, etc.
that it is often prioritised over every one of these other things, and that it is often taken as a litmus test to indicate adherence of these other things, that we cannot take it simply as one thing someone is doing right now to the extent that they’re doing it, reflects more about human minds than about islam. for example, if someone donates $1 while they have $1000 excess when the verse says “they ask:what should we give? say: give what is excess of your needs” (al-baqarah somewhere). i mean, how many muslims can really say we don’t fall short of the expectation implied in this verse, even if we do give to charity regularly. anyway, we would usually acknowledge the $1 as charity nonetheless, recognise it has no bearing on any other qualities the person may have nor indicate anything else he may or may not do religiously, and hope he would next time donate more. yet our psyche on hijab is totally different from this (i’m not saying people on this site, but just generalising more widely). think about that for a moment. why is the one viewed by pretty much everyone as a process, a journey, and the other is always a “binary” pass/fail?